Addressing the Deadly Threat of Silica

Written by INSTALL / April 13, 2020

*This article by INSTALL executive director John T. McGrath, Jr. was featured in Floor Covering Installer.

In recent years, fast-track construction has made floorcovering installers experts in concrete restoration. Whether facing tight timelines, improper substrates or concerns over moisture mitigation, flooring contractors have been left to deal with subpar concrete subfloors.

In order to ensure proper flooring installation, contractors are often forced to grind, shot blast or chip away at these existing concrete substrates. The problem here is not necessarily the labor involved, but the toxic byproduct that is created in the process; respirable crystalline silica.

While silica is one of the most common substances in earth’s crust, it poses a deadly threat to floorcovering installers and other construction trades. When workers cut, grind, drill, or crush materials that contain crystalline silica, very small dust particles are created. These materials include concrete, rock, block and mortar, and brick – common building products here in the US.

The tiny particles released during this process can travel deep into the lungs of workers. This can ultimately cause silicosis, an incurable and sometimes deadly lung disease. Respirable crystalline silica also causes lung cancer, other potentially debilitating respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease. In most cases, these diseases occur after years of exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Some, however, are more acute.

While steps have been made to curb silica dust on the jobsite, nearly two million construction workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica in over 600,000 workplaces each year. Of those two million workers, 30% of them are exposed to levels greater than the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) standard set in 2017.

That’s why it is so important for the floorcovering industry to take every possible step to curb silica dust exposure for our men and women in the field. New technology, best practices and training courses can help address these problems – but only if people are willing to put them into action on the job site.

An Ancient Disease with New Repercussions

The earliest reports of silicosis date back to ancient Greece, where Hippocrates referenced diseases such as grinders rot, miners phthisis, potters consumption and stone cutters consumption in his writings. Throughout the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, physicians continued to document “wasting” diseases for laborers throughout Europe.

In 1870, British physicians began diagnosing chronic silicosis and encouraged labor industries to use wet drilling as a means of controlling airborne dust. This process was an unwelcome change as it slowed production, resulted in slurry and added cleanup time. It therefore proved very unpopular among business owners.

Here in the United States, the first widespread public knowledge of silica came shortly after the Hawk’s Nest Tunnel disaster in West Virginia. As many as 1,500 workers were killed from 1930-1935 in what is now known as one of the worst industrial disasters in American history.

Workers were not given any masks or breathing equipment to use while mining, although management wore such equipment during inspection visits. As a result of the exposure, many workers developed acute silicosis and died on site. Many more eventually died within a year.

As a result, the United States Department of Labor released a film in 1938 titled “Stop Silicosis.” The result of a year-long study by more than 60 experts, the film addressed new protections that were developed to protect working people from silica exposure. By the 1950s, silicosis was generally considered a disease of the past and forgotten by many industries.

A Resurgence in Silica Awareness

While silica and silicosis gave way to other major occupational safety concerns like asbestos, there has been a recent focus on its destructive affects due to fast-track construction and general lack of knowledge of respiratory diseases on the jobsite.

One trade that has come under scrutiny is the floorcovering industry. Since many contractors are tasked with surface preparation and preparing concrete substrates for installation, they are exposed to a large amount of silica dust through grinding, cutting, shot blasting and polishing.

In a 2012 survey by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, only 29% of workers wore a respirator when preparing concrete substrates, while 33% wore safety glasses and 27% wore gloves. A shocking 51% of respondents wore no safety items at all when performing these tasks.

“Installers really need to understand how small the particles are that pose a danger to them on a jobsite,” said David Milano, instructor with the UBC Albany Training Center, North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund. “All it takes is a tiny spec of silica to exceed safe limits. While it’s amazing how much damage silica and silicosis can do, it’s even more amazing how few people protect themselves against it.”

This misunderstanding, along with a number of other factors from trades throughout the construction industry eventually led OSHA to introduce its Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction in 2017. The standard requires employers to limit worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica and to take other steps to protect workers. It also partnered with other organizations, such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), that highlight engineering controls and safe work practices to reduce silica exposure.

NIOSH, for example, found that exposure could be reduced through the use of a variety of different controls, including the use of local exhaust ventilation to capture dust at its source and the use of water sprays to suppress dust where it is produced. They also recommend using remote controlled tools and grinders, sanders and shot blasters equipped with a shroud and HEPA vacuum.

“While engineering controls are essential and help reduce the amount of silica dust that escapes, it’s still important for contractors to place individual HEPA filters in contained environments,” said Nick Mooren, instructor at the Wisconsin Carpenters Training Institute, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters.

“It’s also important to know how HEPA filters work and what they can and can’t do,” he added. “For example, when the machine fills up you have to tie off the self-containment bag and dispose of it safely, otherwise you risk contaminating the space all over again.”

It’s also important for floorcovering installers to use NIOSH-approved N95 Particulate Filtering Facepiece Respirators. These respirators are made to seal tightly around the nose and mouth and are certified to block 95% of particles 0.3 m (microns) or larger in diameter.

While these are extremely beneficial, there are limits to how well they work. For example, facial hair is enough to break the seal and let in particles. And people with chronic respiratory, cardiac or other medical conditions that make breathing difficult may not be able to use an N95 respirator. Still, the fact that this technology exists, but is underused (or not used at all) is a problem.

Silica Awareness Courses Help Address OSHA Standards

This is why it is so critical for floorcovering installers of all ages to take part in silica awareness courses. Classes cover where and how respirable crystalline silica exposure occurs, how it affects the body, how workers can protect themselves, and what employers must do to protect their employees.

Courses like these also help companies meet OSHA’s silica standards. All construction employers – not just floorcovering installers – covered by the standard are required to first establish and implement a written exposure control plan that identifies tasks that involve exposure and methods used to protect workers, including procedures to restrict access to work areas where high exposures may occur.

Contractors are also required to designate an employee to implement written exposure control plans. This includes restricting housekeeping practices that expose workers to silica, such as using compressed air without a ventilation system to capture dust and dry sweeping.

In addition, they must offer medical exams — including chest X-rays and lung function tests — every three years for workers who are required by the standard to wear a respirator for 30 or more days per year. Finally, they must train workers on the health effects of silica exposure, workplace tasks that can expose them to silica, ways to limit exposure, and keep records of workers’ silica exposure and medical exams.

Learn More and Save Lives Today

For business owners and installers that want more information on OSHA’s silica standard, a good place to start is the organization’s website. OSHA can also provide compliance assistance through a variety of programs, including technical assistance about effective safety and health programs, workplace consultations, and training and education.

The United Brotherhood of Carpenters also provides floorcovering installers and members several awareness classes on silica and other hazardous materials. Held at the International Training Center in Las Vegas, NV, and regional councils around the country, these courses truly help save lives and protect workers.

Explore More News from INSTALL

INSTALL Specification Resource for Floorcovering Installations

Read Article

Infection Prevention: Your Mission, Our Expertise

Read Article

INSTALL Connects the Best in the Flooring Industry

Read Article

Flooring Olympics Celebrates Skills & Positive Industry Outlook

Read Article

Subfloor Preparation Certification: What Installers Need to Know

Read Article

Alternative Career Pathways & Succession for Flooring Installers

Read Article

Avoid Costly Missteps in Subfloor Prep, Three Factors to Assess

Read Article

With Certification, the Floor is Yours

Read Article

How Education Can Help Recruit the Next Generation of Installers

Read Article

Engaging the Next Generation of Floorcovering Installers

Read Article

INSTALL Sponsors New Accredited Webinar With Architectural Record

Read Article

Partner News: December 2023

Read Article

How to Overcome the Challenges of Retaining Flooring Installers

Read Article

Building a Successful Business Through Effective Communication

Read Article

INSTALL Announces 2023 Drywall & Flooring Olympics Winners

Read Article

Partner News: October 2023

Read Article

INSTALL Joins Floor Trends Magazine's TalkFloor Podcast

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: February 2023

Read Article

Healthcare Certifications Are More Important Than Ever

Read Article

INSTALL Introduces New Executive Director David Gross

Read Article

The Retirement of INSTALL Executive Director John T. McGrath, Jr.

Read Article

How Installers Help Healthcare Facilities Prevent Costly Rework

Read Article

Why Proper Floor Covering Installation Training Is Vital

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: December 2022

Read Article

Top-Notch Floor Covering Training Adds Long-Term Value

Read Article

Tips to Solve Common LVT & LVP Installation Issues

Read Article

Proper Training Can Help Avoid Safety Risks for Occupants

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: August 2022

Read Article

New Resilient Flooring And Carpet Certification Standards

Read Article

INSTALL Announces New Alliance Partners

Read Article

INSTALL's Course Offerings Expand With Hardwood Flooring Training

Read Article

Training and Trust Help Flooring Installers Grow in New Markets

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: June 2022

Read Article

INSTALL Expands Apprenticeship Program to Support Industry Growth

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: April 2022

Read Article

Importance of Specifying UBC-ICRA Protocols in a Covid-19 World

Read Article

Understanding Flooring Moisture Mitigation

Read Article

Keeping INSTALL Inclusive

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: December 2021

Read Article

INSTALL and Teknoflor Join Efforts to Ensure Quality Installation

Read Article

M. Frank Higgins Introduced as Latest INSTALL Warranty Contractor

Read Article

INSTALL & Tarkett Partnership to Elevate Installation Standards

Read Article

INSTALL and H2H Help Veterans Transition to Civilian Life

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: November 2021

Read Article

XL North Interview With INSTALL's John T. McGrath, Jr.

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: June 2021

Read Article

How to Keep the Jobsite Safe amid COVID-19

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: April 2021

Read Article

Smith Flooring Inc. Selected as First Stop on Presidential Tour

Read Article

INSTALL & FCICA Work to Elevate Flooring Installation Standards

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: February 2021

Read Article

The Formula to Protecting Occupied Healthcare Facilities

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: December 2020

Read Article

INSTALL Inducts Five New Members to its Floorcovering Alliance

Read Article

Not a Flooring Fad: Polished Concrete & Pourable Wear Toppings

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: October 2020

Read Article

Five Best Practices for Specifying Flooring in a COVID-19 World

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: June 2020

Read Article

Polished Concrete Sets Foundation in Flooring

Read Article

Ensuring Employee Safety on the Jobsite During COVID-19

Read Article

M. Frank Higgins & Co., Inc. Hosts ICRA Training Program

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: April 2020

Read Article

Women Flooring Installers Help Solve the Labor Crisis

Read Article

Three Reasons to Hire Certified Floorcovering Installers

Read Article

Addressing the Deadly Threat of Silica

Read Article

INSTALL Welcomes New Members to Expansive Floorcovering Network

Read Article

Watch: Installers Lay Groundwork for Polished Concrete Flooring

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: February 2020

Read Article

The Impact of Technology on the Flooring Installation Industry

Read Article

INSTALL to Present at World of Concrete 2020 and DOMOTEX USA 2020

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: November 2019

Read Article

INSTALL Showcases ICRA Standards at 2019 APIC Expo

Read Article

Innovations that are Changing the Floorcovering Industry

Read Article

Image Flooring Partners with INSTALL to Expand

Read Article

INSTALL Continues Support for Helmets to Hardhats Partnership

Read Article

Polish Your Skills: The Latest in Concrete Polishing

Read Article

How to Increase Professionalism in Installation

Read Article

Four Ways to Become More Efficient on the Jobsite

Read Article

INSTALL Members Donate Time and Skills for Charity

Read Article

Putting Concrete Polishing Education Front and Center

Read Article

Meeting Infection Control Protocols in Healthcare Designs

Read Article

UBC Announces Leadership Changes, Reaffirms Commitment to INSTALL

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: July 2019

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: July 2019

Read Article

INSTALL Continues Increasing Availability of Formal Training

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: June 2019

Read Article

Floorcovering Industry Heightens Response to Skilled Labor Crisis

Read Article

Expansion Program Helps Image Flooring Grow throughout Midwest

Read Article

INSTALL Expands Partnership with Department of Veterans Affairs

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: May 2019

Read Article

ARDEX Americas supports INSTALL with Polished Toppings Training

Read Article

INSTALL Puts Finishing Touches on Concrete Polishing Curriculum

Read Article

Floorcovering's Commitment to Saving Lives in Healthcare

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: April 2019

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: April 2019

Read Article

The Rise of Concrete Polishing

Read Article

INSTALL to Present New ICRA CEU at 2019 AEC BuildTech Conference

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: March 2019

Read Article

INSTALL Introduces New Warranty Contractor and Alliance Partners

Read Article

Ambassador Floor Lends Efforts to Combat the Skilled Labor Crisis

Read Article

Alliance Partner News: February 2019

Read Article

Four Ways to Become a Better Installer

Read Article

Reviving the Skilled Labor Pipeline in the Floorcovering Industry

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: January 2019

Read Article

Engaging in a "People First" Model for Employee Retention

Read Article

2018 INSTALL Milestones: Flooring Trade Update

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: October 2018

Read Article

INSTALL Supports Veterans through Career Placement Program

Read Article

Earn CEU credits with INSTALL's new curriculum

Read Article

Don’t fear the future of the floor covering industry

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Penny Czarra

Read Article

INSTALL Conference brings collaboration to meet industry demands

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Frank Koch

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: July 2018

Read Article

INSTALL Expansion Initiative Steadily Progresses

Read Article

INSTALL & Roppe Partner at NeoCon 2018

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Mike Maguire

Read Article

Announcing new Alliance Partners and INSTALL Warranty Contractors

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Del Church

Read Article

New Texas Training Center celebrates grand opening

Read Article

Sisters in the Brotherhood Participate in New INSTALL Training

Read Article

Tarkett & INSTALL partner to create integrated education program

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Andy Bowman

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: February 2018

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Richard Schmidt

Read Article

Reduce Maintenance Costs with Polished Concrete Flooring

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: January 2018

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: James Colombo

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: December 2017

Read Article

Master Craft Flooring Wins 2017 FCI Installation Award

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: November 2017

Read Article

INSTALL Opens Enrollment for CIM Program Scholarship

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Michael Bonacci

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Adam Williams

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: October 2017

Read Article

INSTALL Sees Continued Growth in Southern U.S.

Read Article

INSTALL Announces Canadian NAC Winner

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Kelly Bakke

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: September 2017

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Jeff Johnson

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: August 2017

Read Article

INSTALL Combats Labor Shortage through Industry Partnerships

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: David Altman

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: July 2017

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Jeff Moore

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: June 2017

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Dan Solomon

Read Article

INSTALL & Partners to Host ICRA Training

Read Article

INSTALL & Roppe Partner at NeoCon 2017

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: May 2017

Read Article

INSTALL & H2H Partnership Reaches First Year Milestone

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Ron Zimmerman

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: April 2017

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Jim Wilkinson

Read Article

Laticrete Joins Endorsement of Substrate Prep Certification

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: March 2017

Read Article

INSTALL Included in Master Spec, Provides VA with Peace of Mind

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Heather Rice

Read Article

Why Moisture Testing is a Step that Can’t be Ignored

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: February 2017

Read Article

INSTALL Insights: Resilients

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Tom Sheridan

Read Article

Industry Leaders Endorse the INSTALL Substrate Prep Certification

Read Article

Flooring System Success: Get it Right from the Ground Up

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: January 2017

Read Article

INSTALL's Certified Installation Manager Scholarship Winner

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Tom Lutz

Read Article

INSTALL Takes on Installation’s Challenges

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: December 2016

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Brian Redshaw

Read Article

INSTALL & H2H Bring Veterans to the Flooring Industry

Read Article

INSTALL Insights: Selecting the Right Contractor

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Garrett Maki

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: October 2016

Read Article

Canadian National Apprenticeship Contest

Read Article

INSTALL Launches Substrate Certification Program

Read Article

INSTALL combats skilled labor crisis with training

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Kirk Kazienko

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: September 2016

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Laura Graham-Sawchyn

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: August 2016

Read Article

UBC Southern Council Collective Bargaining Agreement

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Bryan Kear

Read Article

This Month at INSTALL: July 2016

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: July 2016

Read Article

Consolidated Carpet Supports St. Francis Pantries & Shelters

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Barb Kidwell

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: June 2016

Read Article

VA Taps INSTALL for Master Construction Specification

Read Article

INSTALL Recap: NeoCon 2016

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: Eric Kastner

Read Article

INSTALL Partners with BHI for Haiti Build

Read Article

INSTALL Launches Surface Prep Certification

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: May 2016

Read Article

INSTALL Regional Council News: April 2016

Read Article

INSTALL Profile: David Gross

Read Article

2016 Starnet Design Awards

Read Article

INSTALL Expands Training in Central South Market

Read Article

INSTALL Director's Report: April 2016

Read Article

Substrate and Subfloor Installations for High-Quality Flooring

Read Article

VIDEO: The INSTALL Expansion Partnership Program

Read Article

VIDEO: The INSTALL Advantage

Read Article